Many of them consisted of two conduits, a short distance apart the larger of these was for general use ; the other and smaller, to supply the inhabitants and water the fields, while

the first was cleansing ; a circumstance in which they bear a striking resemblance to those of Mexico."

Molina, in his " Natural and Civil History of Chili," observes, that previous to the invasion of the Spaniards, the

natives practised artificial irrigation, by conveying water from the higher grounds in canals to their fields. Herrera says, many of the vales were exceedingly populous and well

cultivated, " having trenches of water."

The Peruvians carried the system to a great extent. " How must we admire, (says Humboldt,) the industry and

activity displayed by the ancient Mexicans and Peruvians in

the irrigation of arid lands !

"In the maritime parts of Peru, I have seen the remains of walls, along which water was conducted for a space of from

5 to 6000 metres, from the foot of the Codilleras to the coast. The conquerors of the 16th century destroyed these Aqueducts, and that part of Peru has become, like Persia, a desert, destitute of vegetation. Such is the civilization carried by the Europeans among a people, whom they are pleased to call barbarous." These people had laws for the protection of water, very similar to those of Greece, Rome, Egypt,

and all the older nations ; for those who conveyed water from the canals to their own land before their turn, were